Away Fans Views & Statistical Preview: Peterborough (A)

The summer break was one that was needed. The team looked jaded towards the back end of the last campaign – for much of the calendar year, in-fact, and it was clear that additions were needed to bulk up a relatively small squad.

These additions came in the shape of: Michael Bostwick (Stevenage), Danny Swanson (Dundee), Bobby Olejnik (Torquay), Johnson Clarke-Harris (Coventry), Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (Wolves) and Nathaniel Knight-Percieval (Wrexham). Bobby Olejnik has so far come in and looked impressive: commanding his area and making some excellent saves. But, the two most high-profile signings we made in Bostwick and Swanson are yet to make the desired impact.

What are your expectations for this season?

The expectations for this season remain just to stay in the division. We’re the smallest club in the Championship and competing in the second tier of English football is a great achievement for us.

Who should we be looking out for in your side on Saturday?

Paul Taylor, on his day, is our most potent attacking weapon. A really skilled dribbler, he is direct and can frighten the life out of defences. That said, he is often frustrating as when he’s not on the top of his game he just appears greedy and out of his depth. This has happened all too regularly recently. Indeed, Darren Ferguson subbed him off at half-time in our most recent game for not making enough effort so there’s no guarantee that he’ll start.

If you could sign one current Leeds player for Peterborough, who would it be?

Ross McCormack. A proven striker at this level, a player of his quality and ability would be brilliant for us. That said, it’s very unlikely to happen! Elsewhere I wouldn’t mind Tom Lees as I think he could add a lot to our defence and is still young enough to develop into a top player.

The Championship 2012/13 – 3 teams to go up, 3 to go down?

I think Bolton and Cardiff will go up automatically with Leicester winning the play-offs. Ourselves, Barnsley and Millwall could be in for a struggle.

Finally, what’s your prediction for the game?

I can’t see anything but a Leeds win if we play anything like we have in our first two fixtures this season. The club have promised that there will be a reaction, but I’m not optimistic. 2-0 Leeds.

STATISTICAL PREVIEW

Thanks once again go out to Kick-Off for providing us with the following statistical breakdown of the two sides.

Anyone watch Hearts v Scousers last night? I was quite impressed with the lad Templeman we were interested in a few weeks ago, Snoddys replacement maybe?

TimPM

I thought Taouil looked decent too even though he’s getting on a bit… But Warnock says we can only afford loan signings of the Premiership outcasts in September. No money for actual signings…

djedjedje

It has to be one of our easiest chances to pick up a three points on the road, especially with our tricky start to the season. A win could be crucial too for morale – as much for the fans as the squad (although Warnock sounds worryingly downcast after two games!!). See us lose and the attendances at Elland Road may well melt away before the season has started.

A rather flattering 3-0 to us, I reckon. All goals coming from freekicks and corners.

Matthew

My prediction
Leeds win. 1-2 or 1-3 we’l concede 1 for sure.
Assuming this takeover occurs before the transfer window opens at Christmas, we need at least 34 points and at most 40 points from our first 23 games to have a chance at the playoffs, assuming the new owners pump 5-10 million into the side, and Warnock strengthens, we should then be able to grind out at least 10-15 wins from our final 23 assuming things go our way.
So regardless of what happens as long as we get over 30 points by the time we’ve played our 23rd game, we’l be okay.
Best case scenario, people should hope we get over 30 points from our first 23 games, can be done.